EU antitrust chief planning to block DB/NYSE deal

(Reuters) - European Commission antitrust chief Joaquin Almunia has told Deutsche Boerse (DB1Gne.DE) and NYSE Euronext (NYX.N) that he plans to block their $9 billion (5.8 billion pounds) merger, the Financial Times said in its online edition on Tuesday.

Almunia, the European competition commissioner, has told the companies that he plans to prohibit their bid to create the world's biggest exchange group, the Financial Times said, without citing its sources.

Asked to comment on the report, a spokesman for the European Commission said: "The decision concerning this proposed merger is due to be taken by the Commission before 9 February. Until the decision is taken, we cannot comment, confirm and/or deny anything."